Sunday, May 15, 2011

Before I tell you about my design, I want to say that I am so honored to have my design included in the Twist Collective's Spring/Summer of 2011 issue. There are so many incredibly talented designers whose work is featured in this issue, that I cannot even choose which pattern is my favorite. I recommend that you also read about the work behind the scene to appreciate all these fabulous people who make Twist Collective so appealing to us all. I am always in awe when the new issue comes out with amazing photography and stories.

The story of Ormond began a few months ago when my husband and I visited our friends in Ormond Beach, Florida. It is a beautiful and very inspirational place. We love the ocean and our friends' condominium is right on a beach. You can see the ocean from their balcony or windows. If you want to get to the beach, you have to walk about 2 seconds there. Seriously, I have never stayed that close to the ocean in my life.

It was such a serene place where you can be one-on-one with nature and deep in your thoughts. Very quickly it became a place within me to which I could come back and find peace in the midst of the most difficult and stressful time of deadlines and exam grading.When the time came to submit for the next issue of Twist Collective, I searched through my stash of new yarns that I brought from TNNA. One that caught my eye was Belle Organic by Amy Butler for Rowan yarns.

It is soft and delicious. I knew right away that the garment from this yarn has to be something that I can wear in Ormond Beach on a warm but breezy day. I thought that a cardigan will be very suitable for that. If it would get too warm, I could take it off. I did not want to make it too warm, so I chose a simple lace pattern that is called Rick Rack lace pattern. It reminds me of little waves, or traces of footwork in the sand. It also made sense to combine it with 2x2 rib for the front band.A seamless construction is always my choice, if possible. Call me a lazy knitter, but I do love to knit with minimal seamwork at the end. Even sleeves are constructed in the round. With all these considerations, I sent my submission for this jacket among some other ideas in.

I was very happy when this particular project was chosen out of my submitted sketches. When I started to work on this design I knew that it was so right for me to do. The yarn was doing everything I wanted it to do.The waist was shaped by twice switching the needle size. This is something you can say is almost my signature for such pieces. I do not want to disturb the stitch pattern and working on a smaller needle just does the job of bringing the waistline in. Of course, it is not always suitable, so do not take it as the advise to make it every time. The sleeves are worked in the round and are set-in. That is where I could not avoid making seams. Another place for a seam is the back of neck. But that is it. The cardigan is done from the beginning to the end including the front band altogether. I guarantee that if you will work on this design, it will be a pleasant experience for you.Some projects are already showing up on Ravelry.com.This is one fully done Ormond that Claudia who lives in Germany made in purple.

I love how it fits her. Great job, Claudia. You can see her Ormond from different angles on her project page. I can't wait to see more projects.Here is some information about the pattern:Finished measurements:Bust: 33 ½ (36 ¼, 38 ¾, 41 ¼, 43 ¾, 46 ½, 49, 51 ½, 54, 56 ¾)” / 85 (92, 98.5, 105, 111, 118, 124.5, 131, 137, 144) cmGauge: 25 sts and 32 rows = 4” / 10 cm in Rickrack Lace using size 6 US / 4 mm circular needle, slightly stretched.For more of a scoop on this pattern, please go to the Twist Collective site.

Note: All photographs of Ormond worn by a model are courtesy of Twist Collective.